We jogged up the stairway to a mezzanine level. But our approach was from the side, behind pillars.
My chest was clenched in fear at what I was going to see when we rounded the last pillar when a voice rang out, “Red.” Not just any voice—Ethan’s.
His use of a safeword was followed by the loud thud of something dropping to the wooden floor.
I ran to within a few yards of Ethan with muttering from the gathered spectators as I blocked their view. I didn’t care. The Dom had his hands raised and the bullwhip was at his feet. Then he dashed to Ethan and quickly released him from his ankle and wrist cuffs. Covering him with a light cloak, he disappeared behind a black curtain that took up the length of the stage.
I was ready to run after them when Gabby grabbed my arm and held me back. As spectators left their seats, she pulled me down on a chair.
“Jude, the Dom needs to know why Ethan stopped the scene. It’s a big deal when that happens, since all efforts are made prior to the start of the scene to assure that the Dom and submissive are of the same mind with the shared goals. More importantly, the submissive has to voice his hard limits and any limitations that the Dom should be aware of. Lastly, the submissive has to share his safeword. Most submissives who don’t have a regular Dom they scene with will use the traffic light system.”
“As soon as Ethan called red the Dom dropped the whip. Was the Dom required to stop?”
“Absolutely,” Gabby said. “As a Mistress who’s played with my share of submissives both men and women, I’d put the fear of God in them regarding the use of their safeword if necessary. As for the scene itself, sometimes submissives want to be told ahead of time what the Dom has planned. Others, like Ethan, would rather be surprised. But even then, the Dom is aware of his hard limits.”
My brain wasn’t absorbing what Gabby was saying as I kept my eyes glued to where the Dom had disappeared with Ethan behind the black curtain. Fifteen minutes went by, and then half an hour. “How much longer?” I asked Gabby.
“Let’s wait five more minutes and then I’ll knock on the door.” Just then, her phone must’ve vibrated because she slipped it from her tight waistband and read the text. When she put her phone back, she said, “Mom and Dad are going home. They want you to remind Ethan that they love him and for us to be safe.”
“I’ll make sure,” I promised. “You’ve clearly had an amazing role model for a mother.”
Gabby didn’t reply and I thought I caught her wipe at her eyes before quickly retracting her hands. I didn’t want to remark because maybe she’d had issues with her mother, and Iinternally kicked myself for assuming based on being with the woman only two times.
A few minutes later, the Dom walked across the stage to me and Gabby. We were the only two people left. He stepped off the stage and leaned against it. “Hello,” he said and extended his hand to Gabby. “I’m Master Liam.”
“I’m Gabby,” she said and I wondered why she’d left out her honorific.
Addressing me, he said. “You must be Jude.”
“Yes, what’s wrong? I want to see Ethan.”
“You will, Jude. Ethan spotted you when he called a stop to the scene. But before I send you back, I wanted to thank you for your patience in waiting. I had to make sure that Ethan wasn’t in physical distress before I left. You have a courageous man, Jude. Not for taking the lashes of my whip but for stopping the scene. That took guts. I told him that I’d be happy to play with him again.”
“Thank you, Liam. Can I go back now?”
“Sure thing, just keep in mind that I have to clean my equipment and the room before I leave.”
“All right, I will.”
I glanced at Gabby. “Are you coming?”
“You go ahead, Jude. I’ll see Ethan when you come out. And no hanky-panky. You heard Master Liam,” she called out loud enough that the entire club must’ve heard.
I heard the Dom snort along with Gabby’s laughter. Paying them no mind, I parted the curtain and stepped through. To the left, I immediately noticed signage on a door that read,AftercareRoom. I pushed it open just enough to stick my head through. When I did, I held in my gasp. Taking a breath, I said softly, “Ethan,” wanting to let him know I was there. His back was to me.
“I’m sorry,” he said in a low, shaky voice.
“May I come near?”
When he nodded, I moved toward him slowly. “What are you sorry for, baby?”
He didn’t answer until I was sitting on the bed. He’d scooted forward so I sat behind him at his waist. I braced my hand on the bolster so I could ease forward and see him, if only in profile. “For running away. But the way your mother kept calling me a… a ra…”
Tears tracked down Ethan’s cheeks as if he was trying to say the word,rapistout loud. But he couldn’t.
“She knew what happened with Luca,” he rasped. “I don’t know how but the realization…” He turned his head to look at me. “I had to find relief, Jude. I’m sorry.”
“Ethan, stop apologizing. I’ve never seen my mother so vile. Frank thinks she did find out about your past.”
